Flickering lights may have been little balloons

EAST COUNTY: Some East County residents reported seeing small flickering red lights floating in the sky over El Cajon at the start of the new year.

Most reports said three red lights in a triangular pattern were visible from about 11:45 p.m. Thursday until 12:15 a.m. yesterday.

Some called The San Diego Union-Tribune, and others e-mailed photos.

KGTV 10News yesterday interviewed a man in El Cajon who said he was responsible for the lights. The report said he had filled weather balloons with helium and attached flares to them.

The best of the e-mailed photos appeared to indicate the lights could have been floating Chinese lanterns.

The paper lanterns, essentially small hot-air balloons, can be purchased for a few dollars and are carried aloft by the rising heat of the candles or oil lamps burning within them.

Maurice Luque, spokesman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, said yesterday that similar cases have come up before, and some lanterns have been found after falling to the ground.

He was unclear as to the legal nature of launching such items or what penalties might result from doing so.

“One way or another, whether they are illegal or not, they certainly would present a hazard,” Luque said, adding that the launcher could be held responsible for fire or other damages.

-- Andrew Kleske

Many drugstores now have H1N1 vaccine

With swine flu vaccine supplies on the rise, people in San Diego County have a better chance of finding the shots at local drugstores, grocery stores and other retail outlets that sell pharmaceuticals.

Walgreens, the nation’s largest pharmacy chain, said Thursday that vaccine for H1N1 influenza is available at its 25 locations in the county.

Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported that other national retailers, including CVS/pharmacy, Rite Aid and Walmart, are now offering swine flu shots in most states.

Like other vaccinators, retailers can charge an administrative fee for offering the shots, which are being supplied free by the government. The cost for a shot at Walgreens is $18.

To find a public venue, go to the California Department of Public Health’s Web site, cdph.ca.gov , and enter your ZIP code into the flu vaccine locator.

-- Keith Darcé

Fungus found on basil imported from Mexico

A fungus that can destroy basil crops has been intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in increasing numbers recently, federal officials say.

In every instance, the fungus was found on basil being imported from Mexico. Basil is a low-growing herb that belongs to the mint family. It is grown locally and also is imported fresh year-round from Mexico.

The fungus, known as “black leaf spot,” was found 31 times in the past two months. Comparatively, nine interceptions of the fungus occurred last year during the same period and five the year before.

Black spot disease can progress rapidly under certain conditions, such as high humidity, and makes the basil unmarketable.

“Part of (our) mission is to find harmful agricultural pests and keep them from entering the United States and doing damage to our multibillion-dollar agriculture industry,” said Paul Morris, director of field operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in San Diego. “We have a robust basil-growing industry in Southern California, and thanks to (our) efforts, it is protected each year when we start to see this fungal disease arriving on shipments from other countries and stop it at the border.”

-- J. Harry Jones

Councilman seeking comments on park

CHULA VISTA: Councilman Rudy Ramirez will host public office hours at 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall ﻿to discuss the conditions of the fields in the Rienstra Park area.

Park maintenance across the city has been curtailed because of budget cuts. On Monday, Ramirez will host a discussion with the public and city staff about the state of the recreational centers and look for solutions.

Ramirez holds public office hours on the first Monday of the month to address issues relevant to Chula Vista and its community members.

For more information, call (619) 585-5717.

-- Tanya Sierra

San Marcos road work expected to cause delays

SAN MARCOS: Drivers should expect delays on Woodland Parkway between Rancheros and Barham drives from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today as workers seal-coat that section of road.

Motorists still can travel in both directions, but the city recommends finding an alternate route.